Book metadata matters so much because it’s more than just a required part of your publishing details. Metadata is the key to your book’s discoverability and it can have a bigger influence on purchasing decisions than you may realize.
Your Core Metadata: Even Small Mistakes and Typos Can Cause Big Issues
Metadata is all the information that refers to your book, but core metadata is the stuff that appears on your printed books, your eBooks, and in the details you upload to publishing and distribution platforms such as KDP and IngramSpark.
It is absolutely crucial to include all this and ensure that it is accurate and free of typos.
Core metadata entails:
- Full title, including subtitles if applicable
- Your author name and bio
- The International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
- Publisher or imprint name
- The publication date
This core book metadata matters because it’s responsible for things like sales tracking and discovery. It affects search ranking and ensables correct category placement and identification. If it’s inaccurate, or there are issues like typos, it can cause matching errors with distributors and even lock your book’s listing, and in some cases it will require you to unpublish your book and acquire new ISBNs.
That’s a lot of hassle for a little mistake because it can delay publishing and limit sales.
Precise Book Metadata Matters Because it’s the Key to Discoverability
Other metadata such as keywords, BISAC and other category codes are essential to get right and they should be as precise as possible. This type of book metadata matters because this is how your book is discovered by readers and book buyers alike.
You can ensure this metadata is precise, and increase your book’s discoverability, by doing the necessary research. You’ll need to know your genre and subgenre ( if applicable) and be aware of your book’s topics, themes and focus. This will allow you to find and choose the best categories and keywords for your metadata. It will also help you write a book description targeted at your audience.
You’ll need to thoroughly research and compile your keywords, find the best and most accurate categories, and write a book description that includes clues to your genre and themes, etc.
The following types of book metadata enable discovery by readers and book buyers.
- BISAC codes and other category listings
- Book descriptions (aka marketing copy/book cover copy)
- Keywords
- Reviews snippets
- Book cover image
Below are some helpful resources related to book metadata:
You can read more about comparable titles here.
You’ll learn all you need to know about BISAC codes in this post.
Curious about book descriptions? This post has the important details you need to know.
A Word on Incomplete Metadata
If your metadata is incomplete it will do as much damage as incorrect metadata. But usually legitimate printing and distribution services require all metadata to be complete before you can publish. Just know that it must be done and done right. So, it’s best to be prepared before you’re ready to publish.
The Quality of the Metadata and What’s Included Can Affect Purchasing Decisions
Book metadata matters when it comes to perceived quality and your reputation as an author too. Not only will inaccurate metadata cause issues, or imprecise metadata lessen its discoverability, but unfocused metadata can affect sales.
When book buyers from bookstores, or public and school librarians make purchasing decisions they inspect a book’s metadata. You wouldn’t think this was the case, but metadata such as BISAC codes and even author bios can provide information they need about your book and even be markers of a book’s quality.
Accurate and precise category codes signal professionalism and tell buyers whether the book will fit their audience. Some are looking for very specific themes and topics. Many even look to author bios to determine the author’s credentials and trustworthiness. So, even the details you add to your bio need to be carefully and purposefully considered.
A book with inaccurate or imprecise metadata will turn book buyers away. Because they won’t accept substandard books. It’s a fact that they only consider self-published books that are up to all professional publishing standards. So, it’s extremely important you stick to these standards.
Metadata’s Importance Will Only Continue to Grow
Book metadata will always matter for discoverability but it’s becoming more significant by the day. As algorithms evolve and individual, site-specific search engines continue to become the norm, metadata will play an even bigger role. The goal of these search engines is to help readers find the exact books they’re searching for based on more and more specific details. And these algorithms aim to help readers discover books based on the way they search and the terms they use.
So, even though the work of it is done behind the scenes, metadata plays a big role in whether your audience finds your book, and if buyers will purchase it.
Precise and purposeful metadata can also drive book sales via libraries, schools and bookstores. So it matters a lot. Which means it’s worth doing the research and putting in the work to make your metadata work for you.
If you need any help with your publishing process, including book descriptions, other metadata and marketing copy, reach out and see what we can do for you!
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